Ex-DOTC chief Mendoza dies

MANILA, Philippines - Former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza died on Monday after suffering a stroke. He was 67.

Mendoza suffered a stroke during a rehabilitation session at his home in San Juan, Batangas at around 1:30 a.m.

The former DOTC chief also served as Executive Secretary and chief of the Philippine National Police during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Mendoza suffered his first stroke during the celebration of his birthday in Batangas last year.

The former official was then airlifted to the St. Luke's Medical Center at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, where he was confined for several days.

The former DOTC chief was born on March 17, 1946.

Mendoza's family said that the wake and burial will be at the Heritage Park in the same city.

Mendoza is charged along with the former president, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and former Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos Sr. for the government's botched $329-million National Broadband Network deal with China's ZTE Corp.